Arson at five polling centers in Netrokona

PNN News Desk, Netrokona 

In Netrokona, separate arson incidents took place at five polling centers, all of which were housed in primary schools. Four centers are located in Netrokona Sadar Upazila, and one is in Purbadhala Upazila. The incidents, which occurred in the early hours of Monday night, caused a stir in the area.

According to police and local administration sources, the arson took place between approximately 2:00 AM and 3:00 AM on Monday night. Miscreants deliberately set fire inside and around the centers, destroying six benches in three school rooms and damaging some walls. In two other centers, abandoned benches on verandas were also set on fire. However, no major damage occurred.

The polling centers affected include Parla Government Primary School, Bamnamoha Government Primary School, Nurpur Shridhorpur Government Primary School, Light Government Primary School (all in Sadar Upazila), and Hironpur Government Primary School (Purbadhala Upazila).

According to Assistant Returning Officer’s office and local residents, miscreants broke old windows and used kerosene to set fire. Residents intervened upon noticing the fire, and the miscreants fled. Local people helped bring the fire under control.

On Tuesday morning, Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) Sojal Kumar Sarkar, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), and senior administrative officials inspected the sites. The Sadar Upazila UNO and Assistant Returning Officer Asma Binte Rafique stated that four centers were inspected; although some benches were partially burnt, it will not hinder the voting process. Village police have been deployed, and overall security has been strengthened.

The ASP Sojal Kumar Sarkar added that the damage is limited, and necessary security arrangements have been made to ensure smooth elections.

Meanwhile, in Netrokona-2 (Sadar-Barhatta) constituency, five candidates are contesting: Anowarul Haque (BNP), Fahim Khan Pathan (Jatiya Nagorik Party), ABM Rafiqul Haque (Jatiya Party), Abdur Rahim (Bangladesh Khilafat Andolon), and Abdul Kaiyum (Islami Andolon Bangladesh). In Netrokona-5 (Purbadhala), candidates include Masum Mostofa (Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami), Md. Nurul Islam (Islami Andolon Bangladesh), and Abu Taher Talukdar (BNP).